IBM Tivoli Asset Management for IT vs Microsoft Endpoint Configuration Manager comparison

IBM Tivoli Asset Management for IT is designed to help track and manage your hardware and software IT assets, with particular emphasis on inventory, asset life-cycle management, and license management. Asset Management for IT includes inventory, asset tracking, asset reconciliation, financial management, contract management, procurement management, and, optionally, Service Level Agreement (SLA) management. This asset life-cycle functionality permits the tracking and management of IT assets through initial request, approval, procurement, contract, receipt, inventory, deployment, asset installs-moves-adds-changes (IMACs), and retirement.

Microsoft Endpoint Configuration Manager (MECM, formerly SCCM or System Center Configuration Manager) is a software management suite that allows users to manage large numbers of Windows-based computers and servers.

Configuration Manager features software distribution, operating system deployment, remote control, network protection, security management, patch management, and hardware and software inventory, among other services. It allows you to set configuration and security policies, keep your software up-to-date, and monitor your system status while giving your employees access to corporate applications on whatever devices they choose.

Configuration Manager allows you to manage computers using macOS, Windows UNIX, or Linux, and mobile devices running iOS, Windows, or Android operating systems. It can be integrated with Microsoft Intune, allowing you to manage computers connected to a corporate network.

With Configuration Manager, you can manage PCs and servers, keeping software up-to-date, setting configuration and security policies, and monitoring system status while giving your employees access to corporate applications on the devices that they choose.

Benefits and Features

• Proactively manage all device life cycles, starting from purchase all the way to retirement.
• Automatically deploy software as well as printers to devices, using a common software library.
• Deploy upgrades and patches to your operating system.
• Ensure that all devices are patched, encrypted, and secured in compliance with security best practices.
• Provide mobile device management functionality, which includes the ability to reboot and/or lock devices remotely.
• Provide end users with “self-service” so that they can update machines when it is convenient for them.

Reviews from Real Users:

Users of MECM like that it is stable and flexible. Patching is one of its most useful features, although users cite many other features as useful as well. One user stated that "It does what you need it to do, and it's a one-stop-shop for the company and for all your deployments." Overall, “the entire solution, from end to end, is excellent.”